The Washington critic., 1887-12-24
The coxswain of the cap

tain's cuttcr?'
"'Yes, know John Williams; but
you are not he. John Williams was the
smariest man that ever served under me,
and never likely to stand where you are
now
Captain repeated the prisoner, I
tell you | am John Williams. a long
illness, hard bout of drinking and this
cursed imprisonment have made mo
what am. And will prove it, Cap
tain, ] will prove it if you will only
LISTEN
"'rhc sensation caused by this dia-
logue was immense. The Judge, the
members of the bar, and the spectators
were equally astonished at the curious
turn the affairs had taken, and, though
believing the man TO be guilty of Il des-
perate deceit to save his life, were
eagerly awaiting what should come.
Captain, continued the prisoner, I
| am accused Of murdcringa man here on
June 25, more than nine months ago.
Now tell me, sinl was not John Williams
your coxswaint nt-invalidc home from
the West African station on the last day
of that morith?' =
what the mnn says remarked Cap
tain Forsyth to the Judge, is perfectly
true. His Majestys ship, the Inyinci-
BILE, sailed with our invalided inen for
England on June 3O.'
THE prisoner went on: Yes, and |
arrived in England at the end of July,
veal, and ill., and getting my prize
money went and drank it all away.
And that's how it was ! was found at
Bristol, where had gone for another
ship and ever since then | have been
in this accursed jail
The fellow is plausible enough
again remarked Captain Forsyth. He
is certainly about the height of Will
iams. Well, my man, | suppose you
can prove what you say?
'Ay, ay, captain. Do you remem-
Der, on the 10th of last June, giving or
Off which we lay looking out for savers"
"'Yes, do, to be sure
"'And that We were FIVE boats in all
And the first TO beach was the captains
cutter. And the first man to jump
out of II was YOU, Captain
"'Wcll, this is the most extraordinary
thing / ever heardp And turning TO the
Judge the Captain said: Every word of
this poor fellows story is true, my lord.
He may have picked It up somewhere,
but can't help begnningsto think there
is something behind. My ship is still
in foreign service, and have only re-
turned to take charge of another one
"Well, go on, my man.
lone more word, Captain, and maybe
you will believe me. As we were fight
ing in the town great nigger camo be-
hind you with his ax and would have
cut you in half before you saw him had
not man rushed between and stopped
| L., L. dc, ,nt
stopped him, for that Internal Niger S
AK slipped down the cutlass and gashed
the mans head open. Who was that
man, Captain?'
"John Williams, was the reply, the
coxswain of my cutter.
'Ay, ny, Captain, and here is the cut
which that ak made, and, bending
down, he lifted with one hand his long,
untidy hair, and with the other pointed
to huge and fearful scar running fol
several inches along the side of his
head.
Captain Forsyth leaped from his
seat.
"'Good heavens, you are right But
how you have changed! My lord, this
poor fellow had not sailed from the Af-
rican coast when the murder was com
mitted; it is impossible that he could be
guilty Of it. Williams, you saved my
life; l thank God l have been able to
save yoursp t.
"At these words everybody in the
court stood up and cheered the prisoner
with the widest excitement and en-
thusiasm, The judge said that in dis.
charging him he must at the same time
compliment him on his galiantry; and
, the foreman of the jury then and there
started subscription for him which
came up to something near $50. Cap.
tain Forsyth ordered u chaise to take
him post haste to London for the pur.
pose of removing Williams from place
with such horrible associations and OF
getting him an appointment from the
Admiralty. The people insisted on
dragging the chaise out of the town with
their own hands; the horses were ther
put to, and, amid deafening cheers, they
drove off and were never heard Of
. again"
"Why was that ?" some one asked, as
the Colonel paused.
Because 1t was hoaNW
"Whatw we all exclaimed. "a hoax?
We had listened breathlessly to the tale
which the Colonel certainly told ad
mirably, the perspiration standing or
his forehead, as with horrible reality
he personated the desperate sailor.
, "Yes," he said, "a hoax. 1t was all
q preconcerted arrangement; the Captain
was merely a clever accomplice, who
played such parts for those Of his asso
ciates in crime who came near receivin,
) their reward. This was probably hi
biggest performance; but though it an
swered well enough then, in these day
of telegraphic communication and mul
tiplied navy lists it would be simpl,
impossible. ."-l All the Year Round.
: A Chance for Mr.. Raphael.
Mr.. Porcine (of Chicago)-That's a fin
:; picture, mister
0 Picture Dealer--Ycs, sir, it's Raphael
2 Mr.. Porcine-How much might It b.